Author Archives: Gabriela Lopez Castillo

Earlier today I registered and took the 5 focus assessments offered on the Focus2 website, which I signed up for through STARR. Originally signing up had actually been a hassle, because I had been a hunter student before, I didn’t receive any of the information I needed in order to register and take these tests. Fortunately, I was able to run over to the STARR center and let them know of my dilemma. The Focus2 Self-Assessment consisted of 5 sections, each centered on figuring out my personal attributes and figuring out the corresponding majors and occupations that would suit me. The assessments consisted of work interest, personality, leisure, values, and skills. I received a variety of suggestions after taking the tests, and a lot of the results consisted of both expected results, and unexpected ones, including the arts, music, and sciences. However, the career and major I am planning to go into, (Political Science, and Foreign Service Officer) never came up, so it is causing me to think harder about my set choices for the future.

On Tuesday, October 18^th, I attended the TEAM Baruch Informational Session! I had first heard about Team Baruch at Freshman Orientation, when I stated bombarding all of my orientation leaders with questions, and they began asking me about my interest in TEAM Baruch. Because I was just starting out in college, I generally wanted to keep a low profile and simply get used to college life, not jump into a million things straight away. I already knew how stressful it could be joining a lot of clubs when I went to high school, so I thought to myself, “I know I don’t want to jump right into this again.” However, when I attended the Success Network Boot camp in August, it had a large impact on that original decision I made. I was so intrigued by the possibility of being a peer mentor, and being a guide of sorts for incoming freshman, because my peer mentor and orientation leaders were that for me. I felt welcomed and a part of something when I walked into both the Success Network Boot camp and Orientation, and knowing that TEAM Baruch had a large part to play in both most certainly grabbed my interest. I know for a fact my transition wouldn’t have been as easy if I had decided to take my first couple of months by myself.

The meeting had several parts throughout, mainly consisting of general information from the administrators, (such as how to fill out the application and the entire selection process, the roles that TEAM Baruch members apply for and take on.) I also heard the exciting trips that the entirety of TEAM Baruch goes on, to build their leadership skills and solidify their bond as one team, which sounds amazing! Also, hearing from three current TEAM Baruch members themselves was helpful, and hearing their first hand takes and their experiences with balancing these jobs/roles, and still remain academic and social role models was great to hear and see. I was so curious about the TEAM Baruch leadership program, because it was so similar to the leadership program conducted at my old high school, but I never got a chance to apply. Therefore, I’d love to join TEAM Baruch as the chance to my a positive role model for next years incoming freshman, but to get the chance to do what I wish I had. I’m glad I was able to attend the meeting and get a further insight of how this can shape me into the type of person I’d like to become at Baruch.